garlic

(gärlik)

noun

  1. a bulbous herb (Allium sativum) of the lily family
  2. the strong-smelling bulb of this plant, made up of small sections called cloves, used as seasoning in meats, salads, etc.

Origin: ME garlek < OE garleac < gar, a spear (see gore) + leac, leek: from the spearlike leaves

Related Forms:

See garlic in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. An onionlike plant (Allium sativum) of southern Europe having a bulb that breaks up into separable cloves with a strong distinctive odor and flavor.
  2. The bulb of this plant.
transitive verb gar·licked, gar·lick·ing, gar·licks
To season or flavor (a food) with garlic.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old English gārlēac

Origin: : gār, spear

Origin: + lēac, leek

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garlic

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